Communication: FAQs

Updated last on Thursday, April 26, 2007.

What is the Solar Decathlon?
When is the 2007 Solar Decathlon?
How are the Solar Decathlon teams selected?
What are the 10 judging contests and how are they scored?
Who makes up the NYIT team?
How did the NYIT team come up with its design?
What’s unique about NYIT’s entry?
What are the most challenging aspects of this competition?
How will NYIT’s entry be transported to the competition in Washington, D.C.?
What is NYIT’s estimated construction cost and how is it being paid for?
Who sponsors the Solar Decathlon?
How can I become a sponsor of NYIT’s Solar Decathlon team?
What happens to the house after the competition?
Are NYIT students participating for course credits?










What is the Solar Decathlon?
The Solar Decathlon is an international competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that challenges teams of college students to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. Teams are judged in 10 contests, which include architecture; engineering; market viability; communications; comfort zone; appliances; hot water; lighting; energy balance; and getting around. In fall 2007, teams will transport their completed solar homes from their respective campuses to the National Mall in Washington D.C., forming a “solar village.” For more information, please visit www.solardecathlon.com.




When is the 2007 Solar Decathlon?
The 2007 Solar Decathlon takes place Oct. 12 - 20, 2007. The teams' houses in the “solar village” are open for public tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, except Wednesday, Oct. 17, when the houses are closed for competition purposes.




How are the Solar Decathlon teams selected?
Teams composed of faculty and students from numerous post-secondary institutions submitted proposals and plans for consideration. The Solar Decathlon Proposal Review Committee assessed these entries and selected 20 teams to compete in the 2007 Solar Decathlon. The Solar Decathlon Proposal Review Committee consists of engineers, scientists, and other experts from the U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory.




Who makes up the NYIT team?
NYIT's interdisciplinary, multi-campus team includes approximately 75 undergraduate and graduate students studying architecture, interior design, engineering, communication arts, management, and culinary arts. Faculty members from each department serve as project advisors.




How did the NYIT team come up with its design?
In spring 2006, NYIT's team held a charrette (a forum for design/planning collaboration) for six groups of students that each produced a design concept and strategy for the 2007 Solar Decathlon project. After evaluating each proposal, team members and advisors selected the current concept, which has been further developed throughout the last year.

What's unique about NYIT's entry?
NYIT's home, called OPEN House, is truly revolutionary and illustrates the promise of energy independence and environmental stewardship. This is best exemplified through the design of the house. OPEN House features a manifold core that contains the essentials for living—kitchen, bathroom, storage, and mechanical and electrical systems. The 40-foot by 12-foot adjustable living area allows the occupant to freely arrange and manipulate their open space environment and furniture elements.

What are the most challenging aspects of this competition?
Solar Decathlon entries must be powered entirely by the sun. The competition places demands on the homes' energy system, which must maintain certain temperature ranges; provide attractive and adequate lighting; power household appliances for cooking and cleaning; power home electronics; provide hot water; and power an electric vehicle. Encouraged to think about how energy impacts their daily lives, NYIT students and their competitors are challenged to implement energy-efficient design and performance technologies, such as the creation of microenvironments and a building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) louver system.




How will NYIT's entry be transported to the competition in Washington, D.C.?
NYIT's house will be constructed at NYIT's Old Westbury, N.Y., campus. The team plans to use a modular design that allows the house to be easily separated and loaded on to flatbed trucks. The trucks will transport NYIT's entry to Washington, D.C., where it will be reassembled on the National Mall for the competition.

What is NYIT's estimated construction cost and how is it being paid for?
The projected budget to construct NYIT's Solar Decathlon house is approximately $400,000 (this includes construction equipment, transportation expenses for the house and students, and hotel accommodations for students in Washington, D.C.). In addition to funding from the college, NYIT's team has received money and in-kind donations from professors, alumni, and local businesses to support research, design, and construction. The U.S. Department of Energy also provided each 2007 Solar Decathlon team with $100,000. A marketable prototype version of the competition house is estimated to cost $220,000. The prototype is less expensive because it does not include systems and features that have been custom-designed for the competition house.

How can I become a sponsor of NYIT's Solar Decathlon team?
There are numerous opportunities to sponsor NYIT's 2007 Solar Decathlon team. The team is looking for local and national sponsors to help with monetary and non-monetary contributions, such as building materials and equipment. Anyone interested should contact NYIT's Office of Development at 516.686.7848.

What happens to the house after the competition?
NYIT's 2007 Solar Decathlon team is exploring a variety of options for OPEN House.

Are NYIT students participating for course credits?
Students have the option to receive either three or five course credits (depending on their level of participation) for their involvement on the Solar Decathlon team. Many students are not earning credits and are taking part in the project for the educational value and the pure excitement the competition brings.